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Below Average

#1916 of 2,268 schools in GA

Pickens County Junior High School

Middle School · Pickens County

1802 Refuge Rd, Jasper, GA 30143

Enrollment

603

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

4.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jasper

#5 of 5

public schools

Georgia middle schools

#408 of 477

In district

#5 of 6

Pickens County

About Pickens County Junior High School

Pickens County Junior High School serves 603 students in grades 7-8 in Jasper, Georgia, offering a focused middle school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 and 42 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks in the 78th percentile statewide, placing 506th out of 2,271 Georgia schools. Academically, the school demonstrates particular strength in mathematics, with 59% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while English Language Arts shows 30% proficiency with room for continued growth.

The school's overall academic score of 8.0 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement and educational excellence. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $75,567 and median home values average $298,200. With 31% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 13.5%, the area provides a supportive environment for education.

Located at 1802 Refuge Road, Pickens County Junior High sits in a rural setting near the town of Jasper, offering students a close-knit learning environment within the scenic foothills of North Georgia.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pickens County Junior High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.4%
Math vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment6.8Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,194

Pickens County Junior High School — Students at Pickens County Junior High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.9%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 35.1%
School
State
41.8%

Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
45%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
34%
2024
Math
30.4%
ELA
30.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.

How Pickens County Junior High School Compares

See how Pickens County Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
16th percentile in GA
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

1802 Refuge Rd, Jasper, GA 30143

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pickens County Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jasper Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clear Creek Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Ellijay), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Teasley Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Canton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jasper, see our Jasper schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Harmony Elementary School Jasper 1.0 mi 8.0
Pickens County High School Jasper 1.3 mi 6.7
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF JASPER PK AND KINDERGARTEN Jasper 1.6 mi
Jasper Middle School Jasper 1.8 mi 7.8
Tate Elementary School Tate 3.0 mi 4.4
AHLBERG ACADEMY Nelson 5.1 mi
Hill City Elementary School Jasper 5.9 mi 5.9
Ball Ground Elementary School Ball Ground 8.0 mi 8.0
Clayton Elementary School Canton 8.7 mi 8.4
R. M. Moore Elementary School Waleska 9.6 mi 6.8
ACADEMY AT DOUBLE H RANCH Fairmount 9.2 mi
Clear Creek Middle School Ellijay 11.9 mi 7.6
Clear Creek Elementary School Ellijay 11.9 mi 8.6
THE CARPENTER'S SHOP Canton 12.0 mi
Teasley Middle School Canton 13.0 mi 6.3
Macedonia Elementary School Canton 13.9 mi 6.7
William G. Hasty- Sr. Elementary School Canton 14.5 mi 8.2
Creekview High School Canton 15.1 mi 6.1
Cherokee High School Canton 15.3 mi 5.1
Creekland Middle School Canton 15.2 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30143 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,879

Median Home Value

$324,900

Median Rent

$1,085/mo

Population

26,738

College Educated

32.1%

Homeownership

79%

Avg Commute

32.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

48.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pickens County Junior High School has a median household income of $79,879. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $324,900, with a median rent of $1,085/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Fairplay Middle School Douglasville, GA 4.7
Irma C. Austin Middle School Douglasville, GA 4.7
Kipp Strive Charter School Atlanta, GA 4.7
Arnall Middle School Newnan, GA 4.8
Crisp County Middle School Cordele, GA 4.8
Forest Park Middle School Marrow, GA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pickens County Junior High School

What grades does Pickens County Junior High School serve?

Pickens County Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Pickens County Junior High School?

Pickens County Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 603 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pickens County Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pickens County Junior High School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pickens County Junior High School rank in GA?

Pickens County Junior High School is ranked #1916 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Pickens County Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pickens County Junior High School has a composite rating of 4.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Pickens County Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pickens County Junior High School has 37.9% math proficiency and 35.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pickens County Junior High School a charter school?

No, Pickens County Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pickens County Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Pickens County Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pickens County Junior High School?

61.9% of students at Pickens County Junior High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,265/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Jasper). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
603
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Pickens County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pickens County
District Enrollment
4,007
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,714
District Rank
#5 of 6

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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